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Friday, September 25, 2009

I think this is the universal complaint among everybody, doesn't matter what age, sex, race, or what business you're in. Nobody has enough time to do what they want. Including me!!

I have a list of bookstores I want to sell my book to and that means driving. I have a list of nursery schools and daycare centers in which to mail press releases and a copy of my book to for my picture book, "Jack's Dreams Come To Life."

I have four articles due to two different magazines. (Yay me).

Plus, I'm filling in for my dad at his dental office. His office manager fell and broke her tibia and heel.

I've also taken on the job as a web designer and have the unpleasant task of knocking on doors asking small businesses if they want to set up a website.

I'm also working on writing a collection of short horror stories for a book I'm hoping to get published within the next year or two.

Not to mention rewriting another picture book manuscript waiting to be read by a potential publisher.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

A dog named Jack, lives with his other animal friends on a ranch. After seeing what mischief he can get himself into, and not finding any, he falls asleep. He dreams of being chased by a giant squirrel. When he falls down a hole, he lands in his toy box, on top of his favorite squeak toys. While playing with the cow, the others (horses, pigs, and ducks) start to grow and move around. Soon all the squeak toys circle Jack and he must find a way out. When he sees an opening, a large duck blocks his path. Jack and the duck try to out bark and out quack each other. Pretty soon Jack sees an opening and makes a run for it. As he does, all the squeak toys vanish in a puff of smoke and a cow sneezing on him awakens Jack. Thinking the cow is his squeak toy, Jack runs inside the house and looks inside his toy box to see if all the squeak toys are there.

Friday, September 18, 2009

I had my meeting tonight at Barnes & Noble with a book publisher. She was very nice and very informative. She assured me that my self-publishing venture really was a bust, but to look at it as a learning experience. She told me to stick with them for another six months and that I was doing everything right. She was very interested in looking at my new manuscript. I will sending it to her very soon!

I know this sounds silly, but I felt very important sitting in the bookstore cafe', drinking coffee and having a meeting with a publisher. I guess I am a "real" writer!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

This Friday I have a meeting with a publisher at my Barnes & Nobles. Over coffee we'll discuss my possibility of her publishing my already self-published picture book - "Jack's Dreams Come To Life."

I've been accused of not doing any research before diving into self-publishing. Well, I did do my homework. But, you never know if you're happy with something unless you try it, right? I'm not happy and that's why I'm excited about my new venture with this publisher.

Monday, September 7, 2009

I'm a bit frustrated with my job as a freelance writer right now, but on the other hand, I really can't complain. I've got four articles going at the same time. Two are with the magazine Gorezone (of which I am a regular writer for) and I'm getting to interview the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Danielle Harris, and Brad Dourif. Sorry, I think name dropping is rude. But since these magazine don't pay on acceptance, they pay on publication, which means I'm not getting my paychecks for a very long time!! I'm lucky to have such amazing parents, who support me financially and in every other way. I'm eternally thankful to them. They even funded my first book - a picture book titled Jack's Dreams Come To Life, which is available on Amazon.com. This self-publishing endeavor was a gift for graduating from the Academy Of Arts University in December of '09. I knew going in how hard it would be to market the book, but I never really understood how hard. I've done everything I can think of including promoting it weekly on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, this blog and on my website (www.sarajacksonwriter.c0m). I even got it into a couple of independent bookstores on consignment. A good friend of mine is helping me get the book into Barnes & Nobles. A rare feat for a self-published author. Later this week, I'm sending out the postcards I was given with my marketing package to preschools, and daycare centers. I'll be setting my sights on the libraries next.

I enjoy my life as a writer. It's everything I love - creativity, my own boss, and being by myself.

I guess the money will come eventually. I don't want to or expect to be rich, but I would like to be able to support myself financially.

About Me

I am a graduate of the Academy Of Arts University in San Francisco. I have Bachelors in Screenwriting. I won first place last January 2007 for my nonfiction story "Necessary Procedures" in the Soul Making Literary Contest. I've written two screenplays that have been read by Readers in L.A. My picture book Jack's Dreams Come To Life is now available on Amazon.com. I've written numerous articles for Animal Wellness and Feline Wellness magazines. And also, Fangoria, Writer's Journal, The Chronicle Connection, Rue Morgue, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Gorezone and American Fitness magazines. I was recently hired on as a feature writer for Starburst magazine. I'm working on a YA novel titled "Blood Pressure." I'm on the search for a screenwriting agent for a horror script that I wrote titled, "The Driftwood Massacres." I've written another picture book manuscript and have sent it out to publishers. Visit my website at www.sarajacksonwriter.com.